After a brief intro, Dick Dale and Gary Hoey give a 90's kick to an old classic in "Misirlou '97". Although not as good as the original, this surf meets heavy rock combination is executed quite well. Dick Dale shines through with his great guitar playing. Gary Hoey is also amazing. Together they make a great team. If your a fan of the original "Misirlou" this song will blow your mind. A great way to start out an album. Pennywise's cover of "I Get Around" was specifically recorded for this album. Adding a punk rock beat to a Beach Boys classic, it doesn't get better than this. Pennywise is an amazing band, The Beach Boys are fantastic, and the mix is just orgasmic. Jewel's "V-12 Cadillac" is one of the many original recordings you will find on this album. A nice, acoustic pop song with strong vocals. This song will remind you of a sunny ocean and a clean beach. Jewel is very amazing. Her voice can light up the room with just a few words, and that is exactly what she does on this track. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones with The Pietasters serve up "Ocean". A ska song with heavy traditional roots. The horns are spectacular, adding a splash of sunshine to your day. The vocals are a little rough, but other than that the music will make you want to dance and have a good time. Much like swimming in the ocean, this song is cool and refreshing. Dive right in, and I promise you'll enjoy. "Barflies At The Beach" by Royal Crown Revue is the album stand out! A great swing song that will make you dance, smile, and swing all night long. The horn section is one of the best around, and the lyrics are well written. The vocals are powerful and carry the song. As they tell the story of the adventures that can be found at the beach, you can't help but want to run down to the nearest beach and just play in the sand and swim in the ocean. This song is well-written, and amounts to more fun than any one person can handle. And what's a surf fund-raiser without The Beach Boys? Nothing, and that's why a live version of "Summer In Paradise" is included on this compilation. And next is Moby gets down right political with "The Blue Light of the Underwater Sun". He tells the story of a fish having fun, exploring the sea, and then is nabbed by commercial fisherman. Then enters the techno/dance beats! The CD ends the same way it started, with Dick Dale showing how he created some of his classic guitar riffs with his mouth first.

This is a wonderful CD, and all proceeds go to support our beautiful ocean. Pick up this CD, and help out a worthy cause while enjoying some great tunes. I'll give this CD an A-.

Mushroomhead: XIII

Music, The: The Music

[Issue Four // January 1998]